The R34, commonly referred to as the Memel Road, holds a long, dark history, marred by treacherous potholes and damaged stretches of road. However, there appears to be some amazing positivity heading to the R34 and various other roads with SANRAL absorbing them under their jurisdiction.
This development follows the recent announcement by the South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) that three provincial roads in the Free State, including the R34, are now officially under its care.
The move is expected to herald a new era of repairs and maintenance for these vital roads.
According to the Government Gazette dated 27 October 2023, the transferred roads include the R26, R74, and R34, which serve as vital connections between the Free State and neighbouring provinces.
Dumisani Nkabinde, Regional Manager of SANRAL’s Eastern Region, asserted, “The upgrades to these road corridors will provide a massive boost to the economy of the region and will greatly increase the road capacity in the area.”
Nkabinde stressed the pivotal role these routes play in the agricultural sector, enabling farmers and rural communities to transport goods and produce safely to markets. He added, “Under SANRAL’s management, these roads will stimulate economic activity, provide greater access for local communities, and enable all motorists to travel on safe and secure roads.”
The roads earmarked for improvement are as follows:
- R26: Connecting Ladybrand to Bethlehem, spanning approximately 163 km.
- R34: Linking the Northwestern Free State provincial border to the KwaZulu-Natal provincial border, covering about 406 km.
- R74: Connecting Harrismith in the Free State to the KwaZulu-Natal border, spanning around 31 km.
Moreover, Nkabinde indicated that this step will alleviate pressure on provincial authorities and make roads safer, ultimately expanding SANRAL’s network from the current 23,500 km to approximately 35,000 km. He underscored the positive impact on road users and local communities through job opportunities and subcontracting for small businesses.
The transformation of the R34 into a national road under SANRAL’s purview is a testament to the dedication of community members associated with the Memel Forum.
Drikkie Coetzee of the Memel Forum explained that the campaign to redesignate the R34 as a National Road commenced over a year ago. The forum consistently lobbied relevant authorities to transfer responsibility from the provincial government.
Seeking to gain momentum, the Memel Forum engaged with media outlets, including Carte Blanche, which highlighted the road’s dire condition. Collisions caused by the poor state of the roads were also documented and shared with the public and authorities. “We also got in touch with the DA, the FF Plus, and AfriForum for help, while doing a lot of work on the roads ourselves,” stated Coetzee.
Recognising the R34’s significance as a vital route connecting the Free State and KwaZulu-Natal, Coetzee further conveyed, “It is a major artery from Northern KZN to Gauteng and that the repairs and rebuild of the R34 would alleviate a lot of traffic related problems on the N11.”
Through relentless efforts, the Memel Forum successfully navigated the complex bureaucratic process. According to Coetzee, the DA played a pivotal role in assisting the forum with the necessary documentation.
These efforts culminated in the Government Gazette dated 27 October 2023, designating the R34 as a National Road under SANRAL’s stewardship.
Looking ahead to boosting Memel’s economy and tourism, Coetzee stated, “We want to attract more attention for Memel, but we can’t do anything until the roads are fixed.”
It is worth noting that as SANRAL prepares to restore the R34, local farmers and community members have been actively contributing to road maintenance efforts for well over a year. Their dedication led to a substantial donation of asphalt mix from ArcelorMittal South.
With a bright future for the R34, what are your thoughts on this positive development? Be sure to let us know in the comment section below.
2 Responses
Great news. Hopefully SANRAL will not delay in getting the Memel Rd repaired- the road is too bad to let it go for another couple of years!
Big thanks to the Memel forum & others who have worked tirelessly to get this far.
Will this road become infested with trucks?
Hope not. Maybe a toll road is the answer
to keep it car friendly.